Manchester City are eager to establish an informal partnership with Bristol City.

The Daily Mail says City are considering sending loan players to Bristol City because of the way they played in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at The Etihad Stadium.

City are looking to change their policy of sending most youngsters overseas to Girona and NEC Breda and are pleased they've found a Championship club they believe share their football philosophy.

Bristol City were unlucky to lose the away leg 2-1 and will look to overturn it at Ashton Gate on Tuesday night under their bright young manager Lee Johnson, who was a regular visitor to Manchester City's training ground when he managed nearby Oldham.

"Oldham is just down the road and City allowed me to get an insight into their philosophy as a football club. Part of my learning enabled me to go out across the group and understand how it all works," said Johnson.

"I took a trip out to New York City FC and thoroughly enjoyed it. Manchester City have certainly helped shape me into the manager I have become and hope to be."